Principles for Evaluating a Word

For those believers who receive the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit until Christ returns, and who practice participatory gatherings, the Scripture provides a principle to safeguard against error. In this note I am using the word “word” as an umbrella term that includes prophecy, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and other speaking gifts. ( 1 Cor. 12:7-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11a) The Bible explicitly tells us to assess or judge these utterances. “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.” (1 Cor. 14:29) “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” ( 1 Thess 5:20-21) “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” ( 1 John 4:1 ESV)
How would we go about this? The primary and most important test is whether it lines up with the eternal Word of God (the Bible) “but the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:25a) For we know that the Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself. (Titus 1:2 “God, who never lies”) If the “word” does not agree with the Word of God, then it is not a “word” from God. Other less reliable indicators are whether the indwelling Spirit within you (Rom. 8:11) bears witness, or your discernment of the reaction of the brethren listening to the utterance.
A potentially crucial component, which is much more feasible in a small environment, is trust and relationship built up within the group. Weighing or assessing is greatly enhanced by one's knowledge of the speaker's character and walk with God. Sometimes the “word” is not for the group but for the person speaking. After assessment, what are the potential choices? One can simply say “Amen,” if you receive the word as coming from God. You can choose to ignore it and move on. You can probe and inquire what the speaker meant or you can veto the utterance. Ideally you have a Biblical basis for doing so. All of this is facilitated by the presence of mature brethren. I recognize that this principle is rarely employed but the Scripture teaches it and we should adhere to its instructions.